Michael Olise strike seals late France win over Belgium

Michael Olise produced a moment of individual quality to settle a tight contest in Brussels, scoring in the 88th minute to give France a 1-0 win over Belgium and take Zinedine Zidane's side top of UEFA Nations League Group A1.

It was only Zidane's second match in charge of Les Bleus, and he made nine changes from Friday's win against Turkey. The reshaped side found a disciplined Belgian defence difficult to break down and ultimately needed their bench to find a way through.

The Bayern Munich winger was introduced in the 76th minute, replacing Bradley Barcola, and delivered a goal worth waiting for. Olise brought the ball down on his shoulder deep inside his own half, set off on a run up the pitch, shook off a defender and then finished coolly into the bottom corner with his left foot, completing a fast break that Rayan Cherki had also helped set up after coming on for Maghnes Akliouche.

Desire Doue leads France's attack without Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe was not in the squad after sustaining a knee injury against Turkey, and his absence was felt in front of goal. France created plenty but struggled to put their chances away.

Desire Doue was the standout performer, going close on five occasions without reward, including one effort that crashed off the crossbar. Debutant Lucas da Cunha also struck the post as France hit the woodwork twice.

The statistics underlined how one-sided the game was in terms of control. France had 64.6 per cent possession, 681 passes to Belgium's 368 and a pass accuracy of 92.4 per cent, completing 174 passes into the final third against Belgium's 65. They registered 18 shots and seven on target, with 41 touches in the opposition box.

Belgium stay in the contest despite limited threat

Belgium, managed by Mark van Bommel and set up in a 4-2-3-1, kept France at arm's length for long periods and had chances of their own in an entertaining contest.

Wingers Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio caused problems but could not find an opening against an inexperienced French defence that included Maxence Lacroix, Jeremy Jacquet, Aboubacar Diouf and Pierre Kalulu in front of captain Mike Maignan.

Belgium managed 12 shots but only two on target, and picked up three yellow cards, with Desire Doue's counterpart Dodi Lukebakio's team-mates Youri Tielemans booked in the 66th minute and Kevin De Bruyne in the 57th. France finished the match without a booking.

Charles De Ketelaere saw a shot blocked and Dodi Lukebakio forced a save from Maignan from outside the box as Belgium pressed for an equaliser, while substitute Matias Fernandez-Pardo missed with a right-footed effort from the centre of the box in the closing stages.

What the result means in Group A1

The win leaves France clear at the top of League A Group 1 with six points from two games, having scored twice and conceded nothing. Belgium sit second on three points, with Italy third on three after their 4-1 win over Turkey, who are bottom without a point.

Zidane's side face Italy on Friday, while Belgium take on Turkey in the next round of fixtures.

SportsLigue